The people known in ancient Scotland as the Picts were the forefathers of the Smith family. It is a name for a smithy. Although Smith appears to be an occupational name for a blacksmith, it has been suggested that when surnames came into use in Scotland, several different families simply 'took on' the name whether they had been blacksmiths or not. Thus, Smith is a classic example of a polygenetic surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently.

Smith Early Origins

The surname Smith was first found in northern England and Scotland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. In trying to establish a single source for this amazing, monumentally prolific surname Smith, it is asserted that they descended from Neil Cromb, a Chieftain who flourished in 1150, third son of Murdoch, Chief of the Clan Chattan, a confederation of twenty-six Clans of which Smith was a member Clan.

Faber and Ferro were Latin equivalents of the name Smith which were used in medieval documents. William faber de Karel witnessed legal proceedings c. 1250. William the Smith served as a juror during an inquest held at Traquair in 1274. In Aberdeen there lived an Alan Smyth in 1398. Finally, a Patrick Smyth of Scotland is noted as being confined in the Tower of London in 1401.

Smith Spelling Variations

Smith Spelling Variations

Although Medieval Scotland lacked a basic set of spelling rules, which meant that scribes recorded names according to their sounds it was not uncommon for the names of a father and son to be recorded differently. As a result, there are many spelling variations of Scottish single names. Smith has been written Smith, Smyth, Smythe and others.

Smith Early History

Smith Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smith research. Another 479 words (34 lines of text) covering the years 1853, 1620, 1668, 1660, 1665, 1720, 1699 and are included under the topic Early Smith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smith Early Notables (pre 1700)

Smith Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smith In Ireland

Smith In Ireland

Some of the Smith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Thousands of Scots left their home country to travel to Ireland or Australia, or to cross the Atlantic for the North American colonies. The difficult crossing was an enormous hurdle, but those who survived found freedom and opportunity in ample measure. Some Scots even fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence. This century, their ancestors have become aware of the illustrious history of the Scots in North America and at home through Clan societies and other organizations. Passenger and immigration lists show many early and influential immigrants bearing the name Smith:

Smith Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

George Smith, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia[2]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809

Jarvis Smith, English convict from Leicester, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia[2]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809

John Smith, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia[2]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809

William Smith, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia[2]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809

George Smith, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia[3]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817

Mr. Roy Somerville Smith (1921-1941), Australian Stoker from Gaythorne, Queensland, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. Ronald George Singleton Smith (1921-1941), Australian Engine Room Artificer 4th Class from Thornbury, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. Douglas William Charles Smith (1917-1941), Australian Engine Room Artificer 4th Class from Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. William Harrison Randall Smith (1913-1941), Australian Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class from East Richmond, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. Ernest Edward Frederick Smith (1920-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. William G Smith (b. 1901), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Walter H Smith (b. 1920), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Hackenthorpe, Sheffield, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Thomas Smith (b. 1922), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Sunderland, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Thomas N Smith (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Odiham, Hants, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Stephen R Smith (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Stoughton, Guildford, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Suggested Readings for the name Smith

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper FidelisMotto Translation: Always faithful.

Smith Clan Badge

Smith Clan Badge

A clan is a social group made up of a number of distinct branch-families that actually descended from, or accepted themselves as descendants of, a common ancestor. The word clan means simply children. The idea of the clan as a community is necessarily based around this idea of heredity and is most often ruled according to a patriarchal structure. For instance, the clan chief represented the hereditary "parent" of the entire clan. The most prominent example of this form of society is the Scottish Clan system...

The Smith Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Smith Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.